Geoffrey Chaucer:
The known facts of Chaucer's life are fragmentary and are based almost entirely on official records. He was born in London between 1340 and 1344, the son of John Chaucer, a vintner. In 1357 he was a page in the household of Prince Lionel, later duke of Clarence, whom he served for many years. In 1359–60 he was with the army of Edward III in France, where he was captured by the French but ransomed.
By 1366 he had married Philippa Roet, who was probably the sister of John of Gaunt's third wife; she was a lady-in-waiting to Edward III's queen. During the years 1370 to 1378, Chaucer was frequently employed on diplomatic missions to the Continent, visiting Italy in 1372–73 and in 1378. From 1374 on he held a number of official positions, among them comptroller of customs on furs, skins, and hides for the port of London (1374–86) and clerk of the king's works (1389–91). The official date of Chaucer's death is Oct. 25, 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Summary:
To Chaucer's final period, in which he achieved his fullest artistic power, belongs his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. This unfinished poem, about 17,000 lines, is one of the most brilliant works in all literature. The poem introduces a group of pilgrims journeying from London to the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket at Canterbury. To help pass the time they decide to tell stories. Together, the pilgrims represent a wide cross section of 14th-century English life.
The pilgrims' tales include a variety of medieval genres from the humorous fabliau to the serious homily, and they vividly indicate medieval attitudes and customs in such areas as love, marriage, and religion. Through Chaucer's superb powers of characterization the pilgrims—such as the earthy wife of Bath, the gentle knight, the worldly prioress, the evil summoner—come intensely alive. Chaucer was a master storyteller and craftsman, but because of a change in the language after 1400, his metrical technique was not fully appreciated until the 18th cent. Only in Scotland in the 15th and 16th cent. did his imitators understand his versification
Timeline:
1343: Chaucer was born in London 1359:Fought in France
1366 Married Philippa de Roet
1366-1369:Employed on diplomatic mission by John of Gaunt
1369: Signed as Controller of Customs
1373:Elected to Parliament
1374:Began writing the Canterbury Tales
1386: Loses his appointments but then became Clerk of Kings Works
1389: Recievved pensions from King Richard II and Henry IV
1400: died on October 25
Characters Description From the Prologue:
The Squire: He was a lover and a cadet. He had very curly locks that look like they've been pressed. The Squire had wonderful agility and strength.He loved to sing and loved fluting all day long. He was a joyful horseback riding who loved to joust and dance.
Second Nun
The Nun: Her smile was very plain and simple.She had outstanding manners, no morsel from her lips did she let fall, nor dipped her fingers in the sauce too deep. She was very graceful and calm and didnt let a single thing get to her. The nun is so pleasant and friendly.
The Monk: The monk was a very good hunter and hunting was his sport. He didnt let things in the past bother him either. He lived day by day and took the modern world more spacious way.He had a horse that he rode that would jingle and whistle as clear as the wind.
Characters Description from the Pardoner's Tale:
The Pardoner: The Pardoner is a man who openly discusses his false actions of selling fake relics to others. He is honest to his task of fraud and openly tells a tale about three rioters who kill themselves.
Death: Death kills them all around there home, and in a breath he speared him through the heart, he never stirred. Killed a thousand in the present plague.
The Old Man: Very old and poor, made it through many journey's and he will not let death take his life. He also gives good advice to the three wise men.
Characters from the Wife of Bath:
The Queen: She sent summons to the knight at her convenience, and expressed her will.
The knight: The knight was a lusty liver. Robbed the Maiden.
The Old Lady: She forced the King marry her. She was a very honorable king and she always wanted her way.
The End Of the Year
Im so excited the end
is hear
So everybody stand up and cheer.
Well go to the beach
to have a peach
Well have some fun we wont drink beer.
I cant hold this feeling in,
the end of the year is here.
Im ready for summer,
i feel the need to preach,
i can feel the ocean breeze
its within my reach.
Only a couple days left
till im gone
and i will not be stopping back
Th
The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer:
The known facts of Chaucer's life are fragmentary and are based almost entirely on official records. He was born in London between 1340 and 1344, the son of John Chaucer, a vintner. In 1357 he was a page in the household of Prince Lionel, later duke of Clarence, whom he served for many years. In 1359–60 he was with the army of Edward III in France, where he was captured by the French but ransomed.
By 1366 he had married Philippa Roet, who was probably the sister of John of Gaunt's third wife; she was a lady-in-waiting to Edward III's queen. During the years 1370 to 1378, Chaucer was frequently employed on diplomatic missions to the Continent, visiting Italy in 1372–73 and in 1378. From 1374 on he held a number of official positions, among them comptroller of customs on furs, skins, and hides for the port of London (1374–86) and clerk of the king's works (1389–91). The official date of Chaucer's death is Oct. 25, 1400. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Summary:
To Chaucer's final period, in which he achieved his fullest artistic power, belongs his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. This unfinished poem, about 17,000 lines, is one of the most brilliant works in all literature. The poem introduces a group of pilgrims journeying from London to the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket at Canterbury. To help pass the time they decide to tell stories. Together, the pilgrims represent a wide cross section of 14th-century English life.
The pilgrims' tales include a variety of medieval genres from the humorous fabliau to the serious homily, and they vividly indicate medieval attitudes and customs in such areas as love, marriage, and religion. Through Chaucer's superb powers of characterization the pilgrims—such as the earthy wife of Bath, the gentle knight, the worldly prioress, the evil summoner—come intensely alive. Chaucer was a master storyteller and craftsman, but because of a change in the language after 1400, his metrical technique was not fully appreciated until the 18th cent. Only in Scotland in the 15th and 16th cent. did his imitators understand his versification
Timeline:
1343: Chaucer was born in London
1359:Fought in France
1366 Married Philippa de Roet
1366-1369:Employed on diplomatic mission by John of Gaunt
1369: Signed as Controller of Customs
1373:Elected to Parliament
1374:Began writing the Canterbury Tales
1386: Loses his appointments but then became Clerk of Kings Works
1389: Recievved pensions from King Richard II and Henry IV
1400: died on October 25
Characters Description From the Prologue:
The Squire: He was a lover and a cadet. He had very curly locks that look like they've been pressed. The Squire had wonderful agility and strength.He loved to sing and loved fluting all day long. He was a joyful horseback riding who loved to joust and dance.
The Nun: Her smile was very plain and simple.She had outstanding manners, no morsel from her lips did she let fall, nor dipped her fingers in the sauce too deep. She was very graceful and calm and didnt let a single thing get to her. The nun is so pleasant and friendly.
The Monk: The monk was a very good hunter and hunting was his sport. He didnt let things in the past bother him either. He lived day by day and took the modern world more spacious way.He had a horse that he rode that would jingle and whistle as clear as the wind.
Characters Description from the Pardoner's Tale:
The Pardoner: The Pardoner is a man who openly discusses his false actions of selling fake relics to others. He is honest to his task of fraud and openly tells a tale about three rioters who kill themselves.
Death: Death kills them all around there home, and in a breath he speared him through the heart, he never stirred. Killed a thousand in the present plague.
The Old Man: Very old and poor, made it through many journey's and he will not let death take his life. He also gives good advice to the three wise men.
Characters from the Wife of Bath:
The Queen: She sent summons to the knight at her convenience, and expressed her will.
The knight: The knight was a lusty liver. Robbed the Maiden.
The Old Lady: She forced the King marry her. She was a very honorable king and she always wanted her way.
The End Of the Year
Im so excited the end
is hear
So everybody stand up and cheer.
Well go to the beach
to have a peach
Well have some fun we wont drink beer.
I cant hold this feeling in,
the end of the year is here.
Im ready for summer,
i feel the need to preach,
i can feel the ocean breeze
its within my reach.
Only a couple days left
till im gone
and i will not be stopping back